FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Kelly, Billington win in Top Alcohol; Biondo scores a hat trick

MONTGOMERY, Ala. - Losing a qualifying run to the weather earlier in the weekend didn't hurt Top Alcohol Dragster pilot Guy Kelly in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at Montgomery Motorsports Park. The Wadley, Ala., racer was in the groove all weekend, qualifying No. 1 and taking the win today over Jason Cannon of Middleburg, Fla. In Top Alcohol Funny Car, Mark Billington drove his Dodge Avenger to victory over Jim Sickles while Peter Biondo won his third consecutive race, this time in Stock.

In Kelly's first final-round appearance of the season, he made a 5.510-second, 255.10 mph pass that was enough to beat Cannon's 6.076-second, 169.55 mph pass. Kelly not only leaves Montgomery Motorsports Park, his home track, with the win but with the track's elapsed time record for the class, which he set Saturday at 5.410 seconds.

Billington's 6.061-second, 235.10-mph effort was enough to earn his first win of the season when Sickles spun the tires and motored to a 10.165-second, 72.08 mph run. For Sickles it was his second final-round appearance in as many races.

Mt. Laurel, N.J., resident Biondo took the win in Stock this weekend and drove his Super Stock car to victory at both the season-opener in Gainesville, Fla., and the second race in Orlando, Fla.

Jason Lynch scored two wins this weekend. The Chapmansboro, Tenn., resident earned trophies in Super Comp and Super Gas.

Winners in other classes include Bo Butner, Floyds Knobs, Ind., in Comp Eliminator; Matt Alvey, Mt. Washington, Ky., in Super Stock; and Darrin Christen, Paradise, La., in Super Street. In the John Bleakley Motor Homes Top Sportsman Series, Casey Spradlin of Ranburne, Ala., took the win.

Southeast Division racers will hit the midpoint of their NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series season at Silver Dollar Raceway in Reynolds, Ga., June 6-8.

The following are Sunday's final results from the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at Montgomery Motorsports Park:

TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER
Round One 
1) Guy Kelly, Wadley, Ala., 5.526, 252.66 def. bye 

3) Michael Gunderson, Middleburg, Fla., 6.092, 230.00 def. 
4) Artie Allen, Jacksonville, Fla., 8.223, 98.46

2) Jason Cannon, Middleburg, Fla., 5.516, 255.10 def. 
5) Don Fiorelli, Palm Bay, Fla., 6.163, 190.96 

Semifinals 
Kelly, 5.476, 255.68 def. Gunderson, 9.894, 76.71
Cannon, 5.497, 256.33 def. bye 

Finals 
Kelly, 5.510, 255.10 def. Cannon, 6.076, 169.55. 

TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR
Round One 
3) Mark Billington, Apopka, Fla., Dodge Avenger, 6.037, 237.65 def. 
2) Montgomery Todd, Montgomery, Ala., Camaro, 6.055, 229.29 

1) Jim Sickles, Caledonia, N.Y., Avenger, 5.929, 242.65 def. 
4) John Sullivan, Montgomery, Ala., Firehawk, 6.550, 190.15
 
Finals 
Billington, 6.061, 235.10 def. Sickles, 10.165, 72.08

COMP ELIMINATOR 
Bo Butner, Floyds Knobs, Ind., '02 Sonoma, PSTA, 8.648, 110.97 def. 
Glen Treadwell, Sorrento, Fla.,  '23-T Ford, E/EA, foul

SUPER STOCK 
Matt Alvey, Mt. Washington, Ky., '92 Firebird, GT/DA, 9.917, 131.44 def. 
Bo Butner III, Floyds Knobs, Ind., '96 Achieva, SS/EM, 9.508, 141.33

STOCK ELIMINATOR 
Peter Biondo, Mt Laurel, N.J., '95 Camaro, C/FIA, 11.124, 112.62 def. 
Wayne Shaw, Douglasville, Ga., '01 Firebird, A/FIA, 10.543, 122.31

SUPER COMP 
Jason Lynch, Chapmansboro, Tenn., Dragster, 8.843, 167.03 def. 
Steve Deatherage, Rockledge, Fla., Dragster, 8.908, 165.74

SUPER GAS 
Jason Lynch, Chapmansboro, Tenn., '01 Firebird, 9.920, 149.03 def. 
Ralph Barrett, Gainesville, Fla., '02 Corvette, 9.906, 147.46. 

SUPER STREET 
Darrin Christen, Paradis, La., '66 Chevy II, 10.928, 129.70 def. 
Tony Fuller, Rogers, Ark., '69 Firebird, 10.884, 131.13

TOP SPORTSMAN 
Casey Spradlin, Ranburne, Ala., '69 Camaro, 7.969, 173.51 def. 
T.J. Tracey, Bartlett, Tenn., '63 Corvette, 7.376, 188.40.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Kelly, Sickles top qualifying

MONTGOMERY, Ala. - Although rained threatened early in the day, competitors in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at Montgomery Motorsports Park completed qualifying. Most of Friday's qualifying was washed out by the storm forcing officials to move eliminations for Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Cary from Saturday to Sunday. Racers in the alcohol classes and in Comp Eliminator and Top Sportsman received two qualifying runs on Saturday.

Guy Kelly made a 5.410-second, 258.24 mph pass in his Top Alcohol Dragster. Not only did the run make the Wadley, Ala., resident the No. 1 qualifier, it was good enough to give him the track elapsed time record. Due to the odd number of cars, Kelly will have a bye run in the first round of eliminations.

Top Alcohol Funny Car pilot Jim Sickles set the top mark in that class. Sickles, of Caladonia, N.Y., ran 5.939 seconds at 242.39 mph. Sickles will face Montgomery resident John Sullivan in the first round of eliminations.

Other top qualifiers include Don Eberly, Brunswick, Ga., in Comp Eliminator; Bobby Dennis, Shorter, Ala., in Super Stock; Richard Taylor, Byhalia, Miss., in Stock; and Mark Parker, Hueytown, Ala., in Top Sportsman. Dennis and Taylor both retained their No. 1 position from Friday's qualifying sessions.

Racing continues Sunday at Montgomery Motorsports Park. Gates open at 8 a.m. and eliminations begin at 10 a.m. Top Alcohol Dragster, Top Alcohol Funny Car and Top Sportsman will run first-round beginning at 11:30 a.m.

Tickets for the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event are $15 including pit pass. Children 12 and under are admitted free. For more information, call Montgomery Motorsports Park, (334) 260-9660 or visit www.mmpdragracing.com.

The following are Saturday's final qualifying results and Sunday's first-round pairings for TAD and TAFC at the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at Montgomery Motorsports Park:

TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER 
1) Guy Kelly, Wadley, Ala., 5.410 seconds, 258.24 mph 
2) Jason Cannon, Middleburg, Fla., 5.538, 248.20 
3) Michael Gunderson, Middleburg, Fla., 5.606, 263.08 
4) Artie Allen, Jacksonville, Fla., 5.752, 250.62 
5) Don Fiorelli, Palm Bay, Fla., 5.944, 230.47 

First round TAD pairings 
1) Guy Kelly, Wadley, Ala., 5.410 seconds, 258.24 mph vs. Bye 

2) Jason Cannon, Middleburg, Fla., 5.538, 248.20 vs. 
5) Don Fiorelli, Palm Bay, Fla., 5.944, 230.47 

3) Michael Gunderson, Middleburg, Fla., 5.606, 263.08 vs. 
4) Artie Allen, Jacksonville, Fla., 5.752, 250.62 

TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR 
1) Jim Sickles, Caledonia, N.Y., '02 Avenger, 5.939 seconds, 242.39 mph 
2) Montgomery Todd, Montgomery, Ala., '02 Camaro, 6.209, 227.67 
3) Mark Billington, Apopka, Fla., '01 Avenger, 6.242, 232.31 
4) John Sullivan, Montgomery, Ala., '03 Firehawk, 14.891, 49.69 

First round TAFC pairings 
1) Jim Sickles, Caledonia, N.Y., '02 Avenger, 5.939 seconds, 242.39 mph vs.
4) John Sullivan, Montgomery, Ala., '03 Firehawk, 14.891, 49.69 

2) Montgomery Todd, Montgomery, Ala., '02 Camaro, 6.209, 227.67 vs. 
3) Mark Billington, Apopka, Fla., '01 Avenger, 6.242, 232.31 

COMP ELIMINATOR 
1) Don Eberly, Brunswick, Ga., '96 Achieva, F/SMA, 9.005 seconds, -0.595 (under index) 
2) Don Baskin, Brighton, Tenn., '98 Cutlass, G/A, 8.613, -0.567 
3) Michael Hardee, Wilmington, N.C., '98 Grand Am, E/SMA, 8.860, -0.560 
4) David Eaton, Merritt Island, Fla., '32 Bantam, A/AP, 6.975, -0.555 
5) Johnny Treadwell, Sorrento, Fla., '23 Roadster, E/EA, 8.536, -0.554 
6) Scott Tidwell, Pinson, Ala., '02 S-10, PSTA, 7.765, -0.535 
7) Mike Saye, Johnston, S.C., '92 Cutlass, G/A, 8.647, -0.533 
8) Dennis Mitchell, Huntsville, Ala., '92 Cavalier, F/A, 8.337, -0.533 
9) Bo Butner, Floyds Knobs, Ind., '02 Sonoma, PSTA, 7.792, -0.508 
10) Mike Smith, Sandyville, W.V., '95 Cutlass, F/AA, 8.373, -0.507 

SUPER STOCK 
1) Bobby Dennis, Shorter, Ala., '95 Achieva, GT/KA, 10.543 seconds, -1.207 (under index) 
2) Jim Smiley, Springfield, Tenn., '91 Calais, SS/BM, 8.620, -1.080 
3) Jason Davis, Wetumpka, Ala., '00 Firebird, GT/MA, 11.022, -1.028 
4) Tim Worner, Duncannon, Pa., '88 Cutlass, GT/JA, 10.622, -1.028 
5) Johnny Kelley, Walhalla, S.C., '68 Barracuda, SS/AA, 8.975, -1.025 
6) Rod Dorsey, N. Judson, Ind., '95 Achieva, SS/EM, 9.476, -1.024 
7) Mike Crutchfield, Montgomery, Ala., '90 Camaro, SS/BS, 9.041, -1.009 
8) Russell Fox, Springfield, Tenn., '66 Chevy II, SS/HA, 9.893, -1.007 
9) Andy Fogle, Norway, S.C., '67 Camaro, SS/HA, 9.901, -0.999 
10) Cliff Reigle, Ashland City, Tenn., '67 Camaro, SS/GA, 9.858, -0.992
 
STOCK 
1) Richard Taylor, Byhalia, Miss., '01 S-10, JT/SA, 15.477 seconds, -1.273 (under index) 
2) Robbie Shaw, Douglasville, Ga., '87 Firebird, G/FIA, 11.942, -1.208 
3) Amy Faulk, Collierville, Tenn., '01 Firebird, C/FIA, 10.863, -1.137 
4) Bobby Warren, Clinton, N.C., '97 Firebird, B/FI, 10.540, -1.110 
5) Al Provoast, Whittemore, Mich., '79 Buick, N/SA, 12.209, -1.091 
6) Woodro Josey, Byron, Ga., '98 Firebird, B/FIA, 10.627, -1.073 
7) John Livingston, Nashville, Tenn., '91 Camaro, F/FIA, 11.883, -1.067 
8) Sammy LaPorte, New Iberia, La., '87 Firebird, G/FIA, 12.088, -1.062 
9) Tom Hemmingson, Concord, N.C., '66 Chevelle, L/S, 11.946, -1.054 
10) Eric Wingo, Springfield, Tenn., '98 Firebird, B/FIA, 10.667, -1.033 

TOP SPORTSMAN 
1) Mark Parker, Hueytown, Ala., '53 Studebaker, 7.133 seconds, 197.02 mph 
2) Jim Harrington, Navarre, Fla., '90 Beretta, 7.202, 193.50 
3) Billy Vaughn, Knoxville, Tenn., '89 Beretta, 7.227, 190.35 
4) Jerry Barker, Byron, Ga., '02 Camaro, 7.321, 188.48 
5) T. J. Tracey, Bartlett, Tenn., '63 Corvette, 7.375, 187.93 
6) Jeremy Glidewell, Corinth, Miss., '96 Cutlass, 7.414, 187.18 
7) Ronnie Davis, Commerce, Ga., '69 Nova, 7.461, 185.68 
8) Roger McCombs, Pensacola, Fla., '99 Firebird, 7.472, 182.55 
9) Larry J. Smith, Ridgeland, Miss., '94 Cutlass, 7.565, 180.65 
10) Kip Caudill, Gallatin, Tenn., '92 Camaro, 7.583, 175.88

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Qualifying cut short at Montgomery Motorsports Park

MONTGOMERY, Ala. - Rain shortened the qualifying schedule at the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at Montgomery Motorsports Park. Only racers in Super Stock and Stock made qualifying runs while Super Comp, Super Gas and Super Street competitors did make some time trial laps. Qualifying was cancelled in Top Alcohol Dragster, Top Alcohol Funny Car, Comp Eliminator and Top Sportsman categories.

Former Southeast division Super Stock champion Bobby Dennis of Shorter, Ala., is the No. 1 qualifier in Super Stock. In Stock, Richard Taylor of Byhalia, Miss., is in the No. 1 position.

Racing continues Saturday at Montgomery Motorsports Park. Gates open at 8 a.m. and qualifying starts at 10 a.m. Top Alcohol Dragsters and Funny Cars, which were originally scheduled to run all rounds of eliminations on Saturday, will have two qualifying sessions instead, at 3 p.m. and 6 p.m., and eliminations will be on Sunday with all other classes. Tickets for the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at Montgomery Motorsports Park are $15 Saturday and $15 Sunday. Children 12 and under are admitted free. For more information, call the track, (334) 260-9660 or visit www.mmpdragracing.com.

The following are Friday's qualifying results from the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, Southeast Division event at Montgomery Motorsports Park:

SUPER STOCK 
1) Bobby Dennis, Shorter, Ala., '95 Achieva, GT/KA, 10.553 seconds, -1.197 (under index) 
2) Jason Davis, Wetumpka, Ala., '00 Firebird, GT/MA, 11.043, -1.007 
3) Rod Dorsey, N. Judson, Ind., '95 Achieva, SS/EM, 9.502, -0.998 
4) Cliff Reigle, Ashland City, Tenn., '67 Camaro, SS/GA, 9.860, -0.990 
5) Mike Crutchfield, Montgomery, Ala., '90 Camaro, SS/BS, 9.065, -0.985 
6) Jim Smiley, Springfield, Tenn., '91 Calais, SS/BM, 8.730, -0.970 
7) Rick Young, Murfreesboro, Tenn., '71 Corvette, SS/CA, 9.390, -0.960 
8) Brian Oakes, De Bary, Fla., '69 Camaro, SS/DA, 9.544, -0.956 
9) Everett Hill, Fayetteville, Ga., '64 Mustang, SS/L, 10.614, -0.936 
10) Matt Alvey, Mt. Washington, Ky., '92 Firebird, GT/DA, 9.881, -0.919 

STOCK 
1) Richard Taylor, Byhalia, Miss., '01 S-10, JT/SA, 15.656 seconds, -1.094 (under index) 
2) Al Provoast, Whittemore, Mich., '79 Buick, N/SA, 12.209, -1.091 
3) Amy Faulk, Collierville, Tenn., '01 Firebird, C/FIA, 10.909, -1.091 
4) Bobby Warren, Clinton, N.C., '97 Firebird, B/FI, 10.569, -1.081 
5) Sammy LaPorte, New Iberia, La., '87 Firebird, G/FIA, 12.088, -1.062 
6) Woodro Josey, Byron, Ga., '98 Firebird, B/FIA, 10.645, -1.055 
7) John Livingston, Nashvile, Tenn., '91 Camaro, F/FIA, 11.896, -1.054 
8) Tom Hemmingson, Concord, N.C., '66 Chevelle, L/S, 12.019, -0.981 
9) Terry Landry, Baton Rouge, La., '69 Camaro, H/SA, 11.501, -0.949 
10) Nathan Davis, Hernando, Miss., '01 Camaro, B/FIA, 10.760, -0.940

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NHRA Lucas Oil Series thunders into Montgomery

MONTGOMERY, Ala. - Montgomery Motorsports Park will host the 8th Annual Dixie Nationals, a round of the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, April 4-6, 2003. The event is the third of seven on the NHRA's Southeast Division schedule. Drivers in eight categories, including 250-mph Top Alcohol Dragster (TAD) and Top Alcohol Funny Car (TAFC), are vying for points leading to divisional and national titles and a share of the $561,000 point fund.

Coming into the weekend, Top Alcohol Dragster (TAD) driver Tony Bartone is leading in the point standings, as is Jay Payne in Top Alcohol Funny Car (TAFC). In Super Stock, Peter Biondo's two straight wins have put him in the top spot. Both Bartone and Biondo are the defending champions from last year's NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at Montgomery Motorsports Park.

Bartone, of Manhasset, N.Y., is off to a blazing start this year. At the season opening national event in Pomona, Calif., he set the national record for elapsed time in TAD at 5.227 seconds. Then, two weeks later, at the division's first event in Gainesville, Fla., he set the class' speed record at 277.94 mph. And, for good measure, Bartone scored wins at both events. The veteran drag racer also holds the current time record in TAFC, at 5.549 seconds.

In TAFC action, Claremont, Calif., resident Payne has two runner-up finishes on the season. In Gainesville he was in the final round against James Sickles of Caledonia, N.Y. Sickles is currently second in the points standings. Payne also made it to the final round at an out-of-division race in Houston.

Drivers in the class are still wondering whether or not the division's defending TAFC champion, Von Smith, will be running this season. The rumor mill says that the Oak Ridge, Tenn., resident is waiting for a new racecar and will be in action as soon as it's ready. However, the question remains as to which NHRA division he will choose as his "home" if in fact he does run in TAFC.

The John Bleakley Motor Homes Top Sportsman (TS) class will also run in conjunction with the event. Participants will run qualifying and eliminations throughout the weekend.

Gates at Montgomery Motorsports Park open at 9 a.m. Friday and at 8 a.m. Saturday and Sunday. General admission tickets are $15 each day and a three-day pass is $40. Children 12 and under are admitted free.

Qualifying and time trials get under way Friday at noon. TAD and TAFC will have qualifying sessions at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. Friday and TS qualifying is at 7 p.m. Saturday, qualifying and time trials continue at 10 a.m. TS is scheduled at 3:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. TAD and TAFC will run all rounds of eliminations on Saturday starting at 6 p.m.

All other classes will run first round of eliminations Sunday starting at 10 a.m. TS drivers will have their first run at 11:30 a.m.

Montgomery Motorsports Park is located at 2600 North Belt Drive. From I-85, take exit 6. Go north on North Blvd. Turn right on North Belt Drive. From I-65, take exit 173 and go north on North Blvd. Turn left on North Belt Drive. For more information call the track, (334) 260-9660 or visit www.mmpdragracing.com.

The next NHRA Southeast Division Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event will be June 6-8 at Silver Dollar Raceway in Reynolds, Ga.

NHRA LUCAS OIL DRAG RACING SERIES: Fact Sheet

WHAT: 8th Annual Dixie Nationals, a round of the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, where drivers earn points leading to divisional and national championships. Categories include Top Alcohol Dragster, Top Alcohol Funny Car, Comp Eliminator, Super Stock, Stock Eliminator, Super Comp, Super Gas and Super Street. The event is the third of seven in Southeast Division competition. The division's John Bleakley Motor Homes Top Sportsman Series will also be run in conjunction with the event.

WHERE: Montgomery Motorsports Park, Montgomery, Ala. Track is located at 2600 North Belt Drive. From I-85, take exit 6. Go north on North Blvd. Turn right on North Belt Drive. From I-65, take exit 173 and go north on North Blvd. Turn left on North Belt Drive.

WHEN: Friday through Sunday, April 4-6, 2003

SCHEDULE: Time trials and qualifying schedule for the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series:

FRIDAY, Apr. 4 -- Gates open at 9 a.m. Qualifying and time trials begin at noon. Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car will have two qualifying sessions, at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. Top Sportsman qualifying is scheduled at 7 p.m.

SATURDAY, Apr. 5 -- Gates open at 8 a.m. Final qualifying and time trials are scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. Top Sportsman will have two qualifying sessions, at 3:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car will run all rounds of eliminations at 6 p.m., 8 p.m. and 10 p.m.

SUNDAY, Apr. 6 -- Gates open at 8 a.m. Eliminations begin at 10 a.m. Top Sportsman will begin eliminations at 11:30 a.m.

TICKETS: GENERAL ADMISSION/PIT PASS -- $15 Friday, $15 Saturday, $15 Sunday. A three-day pass is $40. Children 12 and under are admitted free. For more information please call Montgomery Motorsports Park, (334) 260-9660 or visit www.mmpdragracing.com.

PURSE: The NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series competitors will vie for cash and contingency awards of $152,700, part of the 45-race, $6.5 million series.

2002 EVENT WINNERS: Tony Bartone, Top Alcohol Dragster; Monty Todd, Top Alcohol Funny Car; Glen Treadwell, Comp Eliminator; Anthony Bertozzi, Super Stock; Peter Biondo, Stock Eliminator; Todd Ewing, Super Comp; Bart Nelson, Super Gas; Dwight Limbaugh, Super Street

BONUS PROGRAMS:
NHRA LUCAS OIL DRAG RACING SERIES POINTS FUND -- a $561,000 point fund from Lucas Oil, which will be shared by 2003 NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series divisional champions and national champions. Divisional awards include $8,500 each to the Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car champions; $3,000 to the champions in both Competition and Super Stock; $2,000 each to the champions in Stock, Super Comp, Super Gas and Super Street. The seven national champions will share a bonus of $135,000.

SEALED POWER LOW QUALIFIER BONUS -- a $215,500 overall bonus fund from Federal-Mogul's Sealed Power brand to the low qualifiers at the 45 Lucas Oil events and the 23 NHRA national events: $1,250 each in Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car; $400 each in Comp Eliminator and Super Stock; and $200 in Stock. (TAD and TAFC compete at 43 of 45 divisional events and 16 of 23 national events.)

JEG'S ALLSTARS: The best of the best from each of NHRA's seven divisions will compete for a share of the $100,000 point fund from Jeg's High Performance. The 2003 Jeg's Allstars event will culminate a year-long points battle between drivers in each of NHRA's Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series' eight classes. The top points earner in each category will qualify to represent his/her division at the 2003 Jeg's Allstars. Points are based on in-division races only.

The winning division's team will share $20,000 and individual awards include $7,000 each to the Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car champions, $6,000 to champions in Comp Eliminator and Super Stock, and $4,500 to the Stock, Super Comp, Super Gas, and Super Street champions. Runners-up in all categories will earn $2,000 apiece. Each Allstars competitor will also receive a share of a $20,000 towing fund to get to the event.

JOHN BLEAKLEY MOTOR HOMES TOP SPORTSMAN SERIES: Run in conjunction with the Lucas Oil Series, competitors in the Top Sportsman class are vying for division championships and a share in the $3,500 purse. Top Sportsman racers may run the seven Southeast Division Lucas Oil events as well as three Lucas Oil Series races in either the North Central or South Central Divisions.

FEATURES: More than 400 drivers in the eight racing categories. Eight-car fields in Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car, featuring five-second, 260 mph side-by-side racing.